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27 Dec 2009 20:50

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World: The U.S. says Iranians deserve to see their “universal rights”

  • We strongly condemn the violent and unjust suppression of civilians in Iran seeking to exercise their universal rights. Hope and history are on the side of those who peacefully seek their universal rights, and so is the United States.
  • White House National Security Council spokesman Mike Hammer • Condemning the latest violent response to protests in Iran today. Four people died as a result of the protests by freedom-wanting, tech-savvy Iranians. This, by the way, is the first time people have actually died during protests since the original Iran election protests in June, which makes them all the more depressing. source
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26 Dec 2009 10:44

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World: Twitter reflects on the Indian Ocean tsunami, five years ago

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26 Dec 2009 00:41

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Music: Vic Chesnutt dies: Singer-songwriter noted for fighting adversity

  • I’ve flirted with death my whole life. Even as a young kid I was sick and almost died a few times. … Sometimes I’d be angry that they revived me. I’d be like, ‘How dare you?’…But of course as the hours and days wear on, you realize, well, there is joy to be had.
  • Singer-songwriter Vic Chesnutt • Who died yesterday after being in a coma this week. Chesnutt, 45, has had a long, sad history which often showed up in his well-regarded music. Wheelchair-bound by a car accident at 18, Chesnutt was discovered by R.E.M.’s Michael Stipe and later gained a huge following, best shown in the 1996 compilation “Sweet Relief II,” which featured alternative rock stars covering his tunes. Chesnutt, even in the tough times, was prolific – he released two albums this year alone – but the sadness around his life has now been accented by a Christmas death. Awful. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

25 Dec 2009 11:30

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U.S.: Christmas gut-punch: Salvation Army major killed in front of kids

  • My heart goes out for the family, losing their dad, and I guess having to witness it during this time of year. It’s definitely going to be hard on the kids.
  • Pulaski County Coroner Garland Camper • Regarding the death of Salvation Army Maj. Philip Wise, who was robbed, shot and killed outside of a Salvation Army facility on Christmas Eve in North Little Rock, Arkansas. The sick bastards who did this were attempting to rob Wise, who had been active with the Salvation Army for 16 years. Awful. In fact, beyond awful. source
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24 Dec 2009 11:20

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World: Shia Muslims targeted in latest round of bombings in Iraq

  • 23+ have been killed in multiple attacks source
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24 Dec 2009 10:51

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Offbeat: Marijuana cookie tragedy: A pro-pot advocate’s huge mistake

  • This story ends tragically, FYI. 🙁 A week after making pot-laced cookies for her 3-year-old grandson (at which point he had to go to the hospital), Erin Marcove committed suicide. Marcove, 44, was a huge advocate for medical marijuana in the Denver area. She made a cookie for the boy, who has since recovered, using “cannabis butter” – peanut butter mixed with marijuana – as the main ingredient. Awful. And awfully sad. source
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21 Dec 2009 09:55

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World: Thousands of Iranians attend Ayatollah Hossein Ali Montazeri’s funeral

  • He died at exactly the right time. He will be revered for his courage, and his example is likely to restore some of the clergy’s prestige.
  • Strayer University Iran Expert Rasool Nafisi • On yestersday’s death of cleric Ayatollah Hossein Ali Montazeri. Montazeri, who was 87, died at a moment where more energy is focused on Iran’s dissident movement than has been in years. And he was a huge part of it, because he didn’t tow the hard line’s politics. Thousands showed up at his funeral today, just like many showed up after Iran election protests. source
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20 Dec 2009 20:53

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Culture: Brittany Murphy draws somber reaction from her “Clueless” co-star

  • I always felt connected to her as we shared a very special experience in our lives together. I feel love in my heart for her—and hope she is at peace. This is truly sad.
  • “Clueless” star Alicia Silverstone • On the death of her former co-star, Brittany Murphy. Murphy, who died this morning at 32, was perhaps not an A-lister, but she was definitely a A-minus-lister, showing up in “Clueless,” “8 Mile,” “Girl, Interrupted,” “Sin City,” and over 200 episodes of “King of the Hill” (she was LuAnne). Silverstone, who admits to losing touch with the girl she made over in the movies, said she “was so talented, so warm, and so sweet.” The ones who die young are the ones that hurt most – and Murphy’s death was nothing short of shocking on that specific level. source
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20 Dec 2009 14:01

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Culture: Brittany Murphy dies? That’s that TMZ is saying. Twitter freaks.

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20 Dec 2009 10:54

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World: Iranian reform icon Ayatollah Hossein Ali Montazeri dead at 87

  • Independence is being free of foreign intervention, and freedom is giving people the freedom to express their opinions. Not being put in prison for every protest one utters.
  • Ayatollah Hossein Ali Montazeri • Regarding the rights of people in Iran. Montazeri, a Shiite cleric who didn’t tow the hard-line party line, died today at 87. He moved away from the hard line in the ’80s and later became an icon of the country’s reform movement, the one that made itself very well-known back in June. In other words, he’ll be greatly missed by green-wearing types. source
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